Music

Tekashi 6ix9ine knows he's on thin ice, legally, here in the States -- but it seems when he's overseas ... he lets it rip, just like he did on this poor guy here in the club.

Check out this video, obtained by TMZ, that shows the rapper in Soho Garden in Dubai ... where he approaches what appears to be the DJ for the night -- only to start swinging on the dude in what appears to be an unprovoked attack.

The DJ starts to scuffle with 69, that is ... before Tekashi's security swooped in and started separating the two, pulling their boss away -- but by then, even more people started flocking.

It actually looks like Tekashi gets wailed on by a few bystanders on the perimeter, and it also seems he was getting his chain yanked, his hair grabbed and his shirt pulled off toward the end as the fight evolved into an all-out mini brawl.

Now, as for what exactly might've caused this ... well, eyewitnesses tell us T69 was supposedly upset that the DJ wasn't playing any of his jams, and apparently felt the need to confront him about it. We've reached out to Tekashi ... so far, no word back.

Elton John's performing at the White House for a TV special ... and a packed house, including celebs, is on hand to see the Rocket Man.

The rock icon says playing the South Lawn at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. is the coolest venue in his career, calling it the "icing on the cake" ... and he started his set with his hit, "Your Song."

Elton told the crowd it felt wonderful to be among so many folks who have supported his AIDS foundation over the years ... then went to work on the piano.

Billie Jean King was in the house ... and the political power players included President Biden, Jill Biden, Pete Buttigieg and Nancy Pelosi, among others.

The White House streamed opening remarks from Elton, plus his first song before cutting out ... the rest of his performance will air at a later date as a TV special on A&E Networks.

Waka Flocka Flame and DJ Whoo Kid are teaming up ... challenging AEW stars Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee to a match -- with a twist -- loser has to donate $100K to donate to a charity!!

TMZ Sports spoke with Whoo Kid, who attended AEW Dynamite at Arthur Ashe Stadium in NYC on Wednesday ... and he broke down the beef between him and Swerve.

The famous DJ said he was supposed to walk out with Strickland and his partner, Lee, but he switched places with NY-born rapper Fabolous at the last minute, leaving the tag team duo pissed off.

Whoo Kid told us he didn't want to be booed by the fans, so he decided to walk out with Strickland's opponents, "The Acclaimed," made up of Max Caster and Anthony Bowens.

During the interview, Wacka Flocka (who happened to be with WK at the time) crashed the party and threw down the gauntlet ... telling Strickland and Lee, if they're looking for a fight, he's down to make it happen, no matter the time or place.

"We'll have a match right in the parking lot," Flocka said. "Wherever I see 'em, it's a match. Get the refs. It's going down."

As for what entrance music Whoo Kid and Flocka will use if/when they fight Strickland and Lee .. you guessed it, the 2010 hit song "Hard in da Paint."

A$AP Rocky's swag just hit his waistline ... thanks to the purchase of a custom belt boasting some semi-precious gemstones.

Celeb jeweler Alex Moss tells TMZ Hip Hop, Rocky wanted to go all out with a special project that would be revered as more than just a simple, run-of-the-mill jewelry piece.

He commissioned Alex for a custom hand-crafted belt and blinged-out buckle that A$AP designed himself, which ran deep into Rocky's pockets ... $322k in total!!!

We're told the entire project took 4 months to complete, which isn't surprising considering it's loaded with VVS natural white diamonds, green diamonds, black diamonds and natural rubies.

The buckle itself is made of solid 18k white gold and Alex says it was no easy task to make but he handled the grueling process in his NYC shop.

Rocky's been teasing the GRIM tagline for a while ... even performing his "GRIM" freestyle earlier this year at Splash Festival to promote his new clothing capsule.

Here's Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde on a casual date night ... more proof the breakup rumors are total BS.

TMZ obtained this photo of Harry and Olivia dining out Friday at Truck, a Mexican restaurant in the small town of Bedford, New York.

Nothing fancy here ... Harry's wearing an Adidas tracksuit, plus some Adidas sneakers, while Olivia is keeping it plain in a white T-shirt.

Folks who were there say Harry and Olivia ate dinner alone as a couple ... and it looks like they washed their food down with a Coca-Cola.

While breakup rumors have been swirling for a minute now, ratcheting up after they hardly interacted with one another earlier this month at the Venice Film Festival, Harry and Olivia have been hanging out this week in New York.

Harry played a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night, and Olivia was front-and-center as she danced to his music and supported her man.

Taylor Swift was, in fact, asked to perform at Super Bowl LVII, TMZ has learned, but turned the offer down ... and we know why.

Sources with direct knowledge of the Super Bowl halftime show tell us ... Swift was approached months ago by SB honchos, asking if she'd headline. We're told Taylor was clear ... she didn't want to perform until she finished rerecording all of her first 6 albums.

As you probably know, back in 2019, Scooter Braun was part of a group that acquired the rights to her first 6 albums. Taylor was pissed, saying she was "sad and grossed out." Braun has since sold the master recordings ... and Taylor vowed to rerecord them to, in effect, regain ownership. She's already rerecorded and released "Red" and "Fearless."

We're told Taylor would like to headline a Super Bowl halftime show, but now it's an issue of timing. It's possible she could finish the remaining 4 albums -- "Taylor Swift," "Speak Now," "1989," and "Reputation" -- in the next year. That would open the possibility of a 2024 appearance, but it all depends on finishing the rerecords.

Swizz Beatz and Timbaland's $28 million legal war with Triller over their Verzuz payouts has come to a close -- the 2 hip hop superproducers have settled.

TMZ broke the story ... Swizz and Timbaland sued Triller following the sale of their series, accusing Triller of failing to deliver on all the promised payouts -- and although the terms of their settlement are confidential, both guys say they're happy with the outcome.

Tim and Swizz say ... “Verzuz has always been a platform that is by the artists, for the artists and with the people.”

Their joint statement to Rolling Stone continues, “We’re glad to come to an amicable agreement with Triller and continue giving fans the music and community that they’ve come to know and love from the brand.”

Swizz added, "Was I ready to go to war? Yes. Am I used to it? I’m from the South Bronx. But I had to take my emotions out of it. There were too many creatives for me to lock this whole thing in the lawyers’ box.”

Verzuz was a huge draw for hip hop and R&B fans throughout the pandemic ... boasting marquee matchups like Jeezy vs Gucci Mane and Brandy vs Monica.

After news of the lawsuit spread, the hip-hop community rallied around Swizz and Tim and threatened boycotts.

Diddy, Jermaine Dupri and Styles P were just a handful of the rappers of who promised to move on from Triller if the company didn't do right by the Verzuz co-creators.

Taylor Swift fans might think their favorite musician is lined up to play the next Super Bowl Halftime show, but it just ain't true ... TMZ has learned.

Social media was on fire Friday after TS fans thought the NFL dropped a few Easter eggs that hinted at Taylor being the big performer. However, we've spoken to sources with direct knowledge who tell us Taylor's NOT going to be performing at Super Bowl LVII in Arizona.

As for those Easter Eggs, the NFL sent out a press release at midnight announcing Apple Music would take Pepsi's spot as the sponsor of the show. If you're not familiar, Taylor's been making a lot of midnight announcements lately, so fans believed there was a connection.

What's more, Taylor's had a deal in place with Coca-Cola for years, making a Pepsi halftime show impossible ... so with Pepsi out of the picture, fans thought it made sense for Taylor.

Tommy Lee is taking another shot at selling his home in Calabasas ... because he just put it back on the market.

The rock star drummer listed his picturesque estate this week for $4,599,000. It's the same price he listed the home for back in May 2020. It didn't sell the first time so Tommy took it off the market to lease it for a year and has now relisted it.

Tommy's place is 6 bedrooms and 12,000 square feet of pure luxury ... the crib is custom built with all the bells and whistles, including a home theater and a state-of-the art recording studio.

The three-story home features sweeping city views, which are also visible from the private pool and spa.

Tommy's estate is built around a central atrium with a retractable roof ... and there's a concession bar and a wine tasting area.

Gear up Swifties -- Taylor Swift could be this season's Super Bowl halftime show act ... at least, that's what the musician's fans are thinking after the NFL appeared to drop a big clue into it all on Thursday night.

Here's the deal -- back in May, Pepsi pulled out of its longstanding partnership with the league and its Big Game's halftime show ... and on Thursday night, the NFL announced it's finally replaced the soft drink company with Apple Music as the new sponsor.

In its announcement, the league made no mention of a potential halftime performer for Super Bowl LVII ... but, according to Swift fans, it didn't need to -- because the timing of the release said it all.

The league curiously dropped the news at midnight -- something that's been associated with Swift for YEARS. She's put out albums twice since 2020 that were released at that time, and she's sung the word "midnight" hundreds of times in her tracks.

Swift is also set to release a new album next month ... titled "Midnights."

Taylor has never done an SB show before -- with many believing she wouldn't take the gig due to being locked in a sponsorship deal with Pepsi's biggest competitor, Coca-Cola.

With Apple Music now in, though, it seems Swift would be free and clear to belt out "Shake It Off" to millions during the Super Bowl's break on Feb. 12 without issue.

Trae Tha Truth is making sure Dave Chappelle stays shining during his stand-up gigs -- he just hooked up the GOAT with a diamond and gold rendering of his signature logo!!!

The Houston rapper was recently in L.A. when he surprised the legendary comedian with the custom pendant, straight from famed H-Town jeweler Iceman Nick.

We're told the piece consists of 15 carats of VS quality diamonds and is valued at $25,000. It was intended to be a small gesture -- Trae noted Dave already has everything money can buy, but he picked wisely.

DC was floored when he opened the jewelry box, and admitted he didn't have a logo chain in his collection ... and graciously accepted the chain and pendant combo.

Dave and Trae have been friends for several years ... Trae regularly shows out to support when Dave is touring around the country, as he is now.

Trae has been in a giving mood lately ... his Relief Gang charity recently delivered clean water and supplies to Jackson, Mississippi residents struggling with contaminated water pipes.

In a far less kind gesture ... he helped hand out a certified beatdown to his former rapping partner Z-Ro a couple of weeks back -- but according to Boosie Badazz, J. Prince's mediation skills have been activated to squash that beef.

Desiigner is trying to complete his next album, but it looks like all hopes of snagging red-hot rapper EST Gee's contributions are in the crapper.

According to Desiigner, he reached out to Gee for a feature verse ... only to learn the tab would run him a cool $75k. Desiigner used to be signed to Kanye West's G.O.O.D. Music label ... which is probably why he took such offense to Gee's price and ripped him a new one on social media.

He apparently ripped more than that -- he claimed to be on the toilet taking a dump when he fired off his response to Gee!!!

Desiigner then went on to scoff at EST Gee's gold plaques and advised the Kentucky-bred rapper to keep all his gold chains ... and accused him of being a slave within the music industry. Yikes!

It's unclear if Desiigner wanted Gee for his clout or credibility. He does call the Yo Gotti-signed rapper complete garbage -- but those disses came only after he didn't like Gee's fee.

Don't sleep on Drake's ability on the basketball court ... 'cause the hip hop superstar can flat out hoop, so says Dribble2Much, Drizzy's longtime trainer.

TMZ Sports recently talked to Dribble2Much -- AKA Johnny Stephene -- and we asked him, who is the best hooping rapper.

"Big shoutout to my boy Drake right now because listen, me and Drake have been working for several years. We're good friends, first of all, and he really loves basketball. He loves the game. The fact that he loves the game and so passionate about getting better at something that he loves, put us on the same level as far as mentality-wise."

FYI, in addition to Drake, Dribble2Much has worked with celebs like 2 Chainz (and many more), and NBA superstars like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, DeMar DeRozan and Chris Paul.

So, when the man says Drake can play ... listen.

Drake wasn't always regarded as a good player. In fact, he was routinely clowned on social media back in the day for his perceived lack of ability on the court.

But, Johnny says there's been a huge improvement.

"Listen, he's not that Drake from five years ago my man. He's got way better, man. I'm excited just because it's healthy for him to be playing and just being happy doing what he loves. That's dope."

His biggest strength?

"Shooting the ball."

'F.N.F.' rapper GloRilla is maximizing her rookie season with acts of kindness -- just ask her alma mater, who were just surprised with a $25,000 check!!!

Glo was back home in Memphis Thursday at Martin Luther King Prep High School where she donated the funds to the school's fine arts programs in hopes of fostering more talented acts down the line.

MLK Prep principal Chiquita Perry accepted the check in front of students and faculty members, and Glo called being in the position to give back a blessing, just like her recent single.

As we reported, Glo's charitable check comes on the heels of Cardi B also visiting her former school stomping grounds, where she presented her high school with a whooping $100k check earlier this month.

As fate would have it, the two rap stars are combing forces for Glo's upcoming single "Tomorrow 2" ... which drops on Friday.

Glo is a leading favorite for hip hop's 2022 rookie of the year. Her breakout hit "F.N.F. (Let's Go)" dropped in April and peaked at No. 49 on the Billboard Hot 100 ... which earned her a cash-filled contract with Yo Gotti that boasted a $500K stipend.

The last time we spoke to Glo, she said she was already looking to invest her signing bonus and wasn't splurging just for the sake of the 'Gram.

Nardo Wick will be taking names when he hits the road, thanks to the Florida rapper's recent purchase of an insane supercharged Apocalypse HellFire 6x6!!!

Apocalypse Manufacturing tells TMZ Hip Hop ... Nardo dropped a cool $270,000 for the super truck ... which isn't hard to fathom with all its high-powered trimmings and 750 Horsepower Hemi Hellcat engine that can flex 0 to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds!

The truck is a 6x6 wheel drive vehicle ... and Nardo himself specifically ordered the biggest accessories he could get -- a 12” infotainment screen, 40" tires, 22" inch SFJ rims, purple accents on its weatherproof interior to combat hurricane season, and a premium sound system to test out his new jams.

Those jams include DJ Khaled's "It Ain't Safe" from his No. 1 album "God Did" ... where Nardo stunted with his Apocalypse HellFire alongside Kodak Black in the official video.

Ludacris' manager, Chaka Zulu, has been arrested for murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a man outside his restaurant -- but new video from the incident shows Zulu getting beaten by a group of men before he fired -- giving way to a self-defense argument.

We've obtained surveillance footage recorded June 26 outside Zulu's Atlanta restaurant Apt4B. A group of men, including Artez Benton -- who was killed in the melee -- arrive to Apt4B, park in the valet area and make their way inside. 10 minutes later, the men leave the restaurant after some sort of dispute.

That's where the video starts. Zulu, who was previously in the parking lot speaking to a friend, starts making his way back toward the restaurant ... when he gets into a heated exchange with Tre'mon Robinson, one of the guys who was told to leave the restaurant.

During the argument, a man named Corey Crawford is seen retrieving something out of a vehicle. A source directly connected to the case tells us Zulu's legal team believes Crawford was getting a gun.

Robinson motions to his friends to come over and then appears to chest bump Zulu ... and that's when all hell breaks loose.

Chaka grabs Robinson, but Crawford and Benton jump in and they all begin pummeling Chaka. At one point, Chaka's female assistant (in the orange shirt) attempts to help Chaka, but Robinson punches her in the face ... knocking her to the ground.

Crawford ducks for cover behind two vehicles, and that's when shots ring out. It appears Chaka is the first to fire, striking Benton ... a plume of smoke is visible from Chaka's gun. Another plume of smoke appears to emanate from Crawford's gun. It appears he fired several shots and one hits Chaka in the back.

Benton was hit in the chest ... you see him crawl away. He later died from his injuries.

As we reported, Chaka's been arrested for murder, aggravated assault, simple battery and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He turned himself into authorities last week, but from the beginning, he's maintained he acted in self-defense.